Because of the drought, the fountains and Neptune pool weren't operating.

Front of Casa Grande

Woman architect -- JULIA MORGAN A bit from the Hearst Castle website:
"For 28 years, Morgan supervised nearly every aspect of construction at Hearst Castle including the purchase of everything from Spanish antiquities to Icelandic Moss to reindeer for the Castle’s zoo. She personally designed most of the structures, grounds, pools, animal shelters and workers’ camp down to the minutest detail."

Fountain overlooking the valley and the Pacific ocean.

(Pretend you see the ocean in my pic!)

The Kitchen:

I was a fan of the tile.

Scott babe LOVED to see the big, professional equipment used to cook for so many guests.

Wine Cellar:

Not just wine; water, too!

The cellar has a 10,000-bottle capacity. Hearst himself was not fond of drinking one too many -- "drinks were served, not drunks." However, his mistress, Marion Davies, was known to enjoy many a nightcap.

CASA DEL MONTE:Spanish for “House of the Mountain”—which referred to the sweeping views of the Santa Lucia Mountains.

This home served as the Hearst family’s earliest residence in the summers of 1921/22.

One of the four bedrooms

One of four bathrooms

Creepy ceiling detail

Hand painted and covered in 22 carat gold leaf. "San Simeon" is written on the ceiling.

Hearst had a heart condition that required him to live in Casa del Mar at age 82. He was still very sharp and in control of his empire. Marion remembered, “Through the door lattice I could see that his lights were on, all night long...he would still be writing…”

Neptune skate park... err... Pool:

Wendy's paternal grandfather was a two star general, had met the President and stayed & swam at the Hearst Castle once in the late 1940s.

South side of Casa Grande

Hearst chose to use wellheads in the gardens around Hearst Castle for decoration. This 15th century Italian limestone wellhead with its column, bracket and bucket is the best example of how many people got their water 600 years ago in Italy.

Hearst originally purchased this wellhead named “El Pozo de Verona” in 1900 and gave it to his mother, Phoebe. She displayed it prominently at the entrance of her Pleasanton hacienda and even named the estate after it. The wellhead was brought to Hearst Castle and placed prominently on the South Terrace after Phoebe's death.

Roman Pool:

Modeled after ancient Roman baths, this meticulously detailed, majestic pool is tiled from ceiling to floor, and features copies of eight ancient Roman marble statues.

Our photo was taken at the Visitor's center before we rode the bus up to the castle. This is one of four backdrops of the same pic of us.

Driving back down to the Visitor Center.

Several log animal shelters were built near the road leading to the Castle so guests could see Mr. Hearst’s collection of exotic animals while driving by.